AARP Massachusetts Recognizes Mary Wheat with 2021 Andrus Award!
Mary Wheat at the 2021 Thanksgiving Angels food distribution. (WAMC/Josh Landes)
The AARP Andrus Award for Community Service is an annual award given in honor of founder Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus. Each state office gives an award to a volunteer over the age of 50 that exemplifies the power of volunteerism in their state. Dr. Andrus’ motto was “To serve, not to be served.” And that spirit lives with our organization even now, over 60 years later.
Mary Wheat has been selected by AARP to receive the 2021 AARP Massachusetts Andrus Award for Community Service, the Association’s most prestigious and visible state volunteer award for community service — and the Food Pantry received a $2,500 donation from the organization in her honor.
“To serve, not to be served.”
From the AARP Massachusetts website:
AARP Massachusetts selected Mary Wheat for her remarkable service, which has greatly benefited her community, reflected AARP’s vision and mission, and inspired other volunteers. Wheat, an 88 year old Pittsfield resident, is the site manager for the largest food pantry in Berkshire County, which serves over 750 families each week from the South Congregational Church.
Wheat has single-handedly grown the pantry to become the largest in Berkshire County, and she’s at the church every day guiding the volunteers and food transportation. She has deepened collaboration with other food pantries in the County.
In Massachusetts, AARP also provides a $2,500 donation to an eligible non-profit of the recipient’s choosing. AARP received over 30 nominations this year, each one just as inspiring as the last. We are honored to have Mary Wheat as our Massachusetts Andrus Award recipient for 2021!